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Author
Topic: Truvada/Isentress (Read 4656 times)

So I've been on Truvada/Isentress for two years now (previously I was on Trizivir) and I've noticed a steep decline in my ability to obtain/sustain an erection. It's gotten to the point where I need to use Viagra every time I have sex. My testosterone levels have checked out normal (690) and I'm relatively young (33). Has anyone experienced this issue and if so, which drug might be causing it? I'm trying to decide what new regimen I should switch to and want to make sure I'm eliminating the drug that is causing this issue. Thanks in advance for your help!

So I've been on Truvada/Isentress for two years now (previously I was on Trizivir) and I've noticed a steep decline in my ability to obtain/sustain an erection. It's gotten to the point where I need to use Viagra every time I have sex. My testosterone levels have checked out normal (690) and I'm relatively young (33). Has anyone experienced this issue and if so, which drug might be causing it? I'm trying to decide what new regimen I should switch to and want to make sure I'm eliminating the drug that is causing this issue. Thanks in advance for your help!

Welcome to the forum,I don't mean to appear insensitive but are you really considering changing your meds for this reason? People change med combos because of debilitating side effects or failure to controll the virus. As you can see in my sig that I have experience with these two drugs and even at my age I had morning wood today and no problems when the time is right. I would dare say that my IDS would laugh his ass off if I asked him to change my meds for the reason you stated.Billy

If my doctor were to conclude that this medication combo was the cause of erectile dysfunction in a thirty-three year old he would not hesitate to try a different drug regimen. He's not so dismissive, nor would I be.

Abso F'ing lutely. I hope your DR is doing their best to find the problem. If it was determined to be either the T/I..I would have not hesitation switching. There are too many options to be saddled with ED in your early 30's. good luck!!

Do you smoke? If so...get help stopping..its a boner killer

Just a side note, Ive been on Atripla and for me it actually causes erections. Go figure. If you can deal with the crazies its a nice side effect.

If my doctor were to conclude that this medication combo was the cause of erectile dysfunction in a thirty-three year old he would not hesitate to try a different drug regimen. He's not so dismissive, nor would I be.

That said, I'm on these medications and haven't had this issue.

Hi Miss P,Your toilet bowl pics would be enough for me to ask for a change of meds.Billy

Hi Miss P,Your toilet bowl pics would be enough for me to ask for a change of meds.Billy

Unfortunately for Miss P, unlike most other people on this forum, my alternatives are limited. However, my doctor has indicated as of my last visit that he wants to switch me to dolutegravir when it's FDA approved. My numbers are too high to get on the clinical trial. But thanks for the concern.

Miss P, do they think you medication is causing your bowel issue? my roommate has horrible bowel issues. he eats and has to go straight to the restroom. he is not positive, he just has stomach problems. he goes to a doctor that prescribes him expensive probiotics and etc. of course he doesn't take them like he is supposed to. just asking, i'm sure you have been to the doctors about it many times.

Mike, I've had this issue ever since I was put on protease inhibitors back in 1997. Off the top of my head I think I've been on four different PI's in the past 15 years. Of course, lots of people have this issue with PIs, but for me I have to take a lot more loperamide to counteract it -- six capsules a day. Usually that's enough to control the issue, but maybe once a week it still happens and then takes 48 hours to clear out. I will say switching to Prezista lessened the issue. I was taking 10 loperamide a day before that.

If your roommate has consistent issues with this he really needs to get used to routinely taking something IMO.

Unfortunately for Miss P, unlike most other people on this forum, my alternatives are limited. However, my doctor has indicated as of my last visit that he wants to switch me to dolutegravir when it's FDA approved. My numbers are too high to get on the clinical trial. But thanks for the concern.

I'm lucky that I don't have the constant problems you do down under. I too am in the same boat, this combo was my onlyone available because of the numerous combos through the years. Intelence, Isentress and Truvada.

I've never experienced erection issues with this combo and would insist upon discussing it with my doctor if it happened, especially if there other options available.

I know that if it was determined that my meds were causing erectile dysfunction, I would not hesitate to demand a change. That's a quality of life issue every bit as much as lipo, for those of us who have a relatively high sex drive. And by relatively, in my case I mean that of a young Bonobo.

That having been said, I am on Isentress/Truvada/Norvir/Prezista and have not encountered erectile dysfunction. Which is good because legal viagra is scary expensive and not covered under my insurance, last I checked.

I understand the impulse to dismiss the sex stuff as unimportant, especially among those of us who saw the worst of the pandemic - and the worst of the medication-related side effects (and who may still experience those today.)

Color me greedy, but after 19 years and six months with AIDS, not dying is not enough.

Also, welcome to the forums, ny1978!

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"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

Hey, thanks for everyone's responses (well, except for the guy who doesn't seem to realize how psychologically debilitating it is to lose your sex drive at 33). My doctor can't seem to find any other reason for the low sex drive (the only other drug I take is Lunesta, which I've taken for 8 years without issue). So the Truvada/Isentress is the only remaining cause. I'm switching to Atripla but I'm obviously hesitant abt this due to its CNS effects. Hopefully tho, those will be manageable and my sex drive will return!

Welcome to the forum,I don't mean to appear insensitive but are you really considering changing your meds for this reason? People change med combos because of debilitating side effects or failure to controll the virus. As you can see in my sig that I have experience with these two drugs and even at my age I had morning wood today and no problems when the time is right. I would dare say that my IDS would laugh his ass off if I asked him to change my meds for the reason you stated.Billy

Billy,

1. Drug changes are not only done after viral load failure or debilitating side effects. It's also done to improve quality of life. Why should someone put up with something if a simple switch of meds will help them? Granted it's not done lightly and there are risks but if something is affecting you enough a Dr is not going to force you to stay on the old meds. Changes are even done to reduce the number of tablets and/or doses per day so why wouldn't it be done to help a medical problem?

2. ED is a serious problem and you won't find a single Dr that will brush it off as you did. I can assure you that your Dr would not 'laugh his ass off'. He would treat the problem with some maturity.

3. It's extremely rude of you to make light of another persons problem, especially when you then turn around and point out that you have no problems from your meds only showing that you have no idea what you are talking about on the topic.

Hey, thanks for everyone's responses (well, except for the guy who doesn't seem to realize how psychologically debilitating it is to lose your sex drive at 33). My doctor can't seem to find any other reason for the low sex drive (the only other drug I take is Lunesta, which I've taken for 8 years without issue). So the Truvada/Isentress is the only remaining cause. I'm switching to Atripla but I'm obviously hesitant abt this due to its CNS effects. Hopefully tho, those will be manageable and my sex drive will return!

Since you are concerned about the side effects of the Atripla, have you considered any other medication? My doctor specifically recommended Complera because he doesn't think the side effects of Atripla are worth it. Complera doesn't have the same effects and it is a once a day single pill as well.

In regards to the ED issue, it's a quality of life thing as well, don't we all want to feel as normal as possible! If your doctor laughs at you, I would walk out and find a more serious doctor. Whatever you end up doing, I hope it work for you.

Welcome to the forum,I don't mean to appear insensitive but are you really considering changing your meds for this reason? People change med combos because of debilitating side effects or failure to controll the virus. As you can see in my sig that I have experience with these two drugs and even at my age I had morning wood today and no problems when the time is right. I would dare say that my IDS would laugh his ass off if I asked him to change my meds for the reason you stated.Billy

I agree with Miss P. This post is incredibly dismissive. Who are you to say doctors laugh at impotence?!!!!

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ďFrom each, according to his ability; to each, according to his needĒ 1875 K Marx

Sorry some of you thought my response to the op was dismissive, BUT he is still able to achieve an erection with the help of Viagra. With ALL the side effects that LTS and people new to this forum have endured, a problem with the little guy is just not that big of a deal. Viagra works for him just like some other additional meds are needed for the problems caused by the meds that some take. Since I have never seen another post or read any information about Isentress & Truvada causing ED I sure hope that ny1978 will contact the manufacturers. I personally would not ditch a class of meds that were working well except for a condition that can be alleviated with the little blue pill. Is this a case of the little head controlling the big head? Billy

Sorry some of you thought my response to the op was dismissive, BUT he is still able to achieve an erection with the help of Viagra. With ALL the side effects that LTS and people new to this forum have endured, a problem with the little guy is just not that big of a deal. Viagra works for him just like some other additional meds are needed for the problems caused by the meds that some take. Since I have never seen another post or read any information about Isentress & Truvada causing ED I sure hope that ny1978 will contact the manufacturers. I personally would not ditch a class of meds that were working well except for a condition that can be alleviated with the little blue pill. Is this a case of the little head controlling the big head? Billy

The OP is 33. There is no indication whatsoever he is a LTS.... Highly unlikely given his age. Also, no indication of any other troubles or side effects with his HAART.So who knows if the HAART has anything to do with his ED. Thats for a specialist to figure out.

And surely no specialist is going to dismiss it.

You applied irrelevant hunches and experiences to his situation. Your post was dismissive and you should eat crow.

« Last Edit: October 23, 2012, 12:00:37 PM by mecch »

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ďFrom each, according to his ability; to each, according to his needĒ 1875 K Marx

Given that ED can be a symptom of nerve damage, and Isentress, esp combined with the tenofovir in Truvada, can sometimes cause this, this is not for simply a matter of getting it up, but something further investigation with the medics.

Sorry some of you thought my response to the op was dismissive, BUT he is still able to achieve an erection with the help of Viagra. With ALL the side effects that LTS and people new to this forum have endured, a problem with the little guy is just not that big of a deal. Viagra works for him just like some other additional meds are needed for the problems caused by the meds that some take. Since I have never seen another post or read any information about Isentress & Truvada causing ED I sure hope that ny1978 will contact the manufacturers. I personally would not ditch a class of meds that were working well except for a condition that can be alleviated with the little blue pill. Is this a case of the little head controlling the big head? Billy

mecch,Please reread, I wrote "LTS and people new to this forum have endured". I did not say he was. The fact that he doesn't have any other troubles except that he might feel emasculated just doesn't cut it with me as a reason the change meds especially when he can use Viagra. I think that in his OP that the problem with Viagra was the cost not that it did not work.

This will be my last post on this subject as I feel some of your are just looking for an argument to entertain yourselves (except Matt) so there! Billy

except that he might feel emasculated just doesn't cut it with me as a reason the change meds especially when he can use Viagra. I think that in his OP that the problem with Viagra was the cost not that it did not work.

Good. It's not that people are looking for an argument, they are pointing out that you are being insensitive and are totally off the mark. If you can't see that then it's for the best that you stop commenting because every time you open your mouth you seem to give the OP a back hand.

I'm on Isentress, truvada and Kaletra, I found that I have less of an issue with erectile disfunction than before being on this combo. I'd be hesitant to assume that the medication regime is the cause of the issue.

You need to be really persistant with your MD. Erectile disfunction can be a symptom of circulatory issues, the fact that Viagra works for you suggests this is a circulation issue. Get this checked out you don't want to have an unecessary heart attack.